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Last updated on 2025-02-19.

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Mariana Arboleda

As an educator and researcher, I integrate data science, computational thinking, and equitable education to create meaningful learning experiences. I have led initiatives to help teachers incorporate data literacy and developed data-driven processes to evaluate multiple educational projects. My classroom experience enriches my data analysis work just as much as my involvement in projects enhances the relevance and impact of my teaching.

Education

PhD., Education

Universidad del Norte

Barranquilla, Colombia

current - 2022

  • Data Science Education
  • Advisor: Camilo Vieira, PhD

Visiting Scholar

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, USA

June 2025 - Aug 2024

  • Fulbright scholar
  • Advisor: Jennifer Chiu, PhD

MS Engineering

Universidad EAFIT

Medellín, Colombia

2022 - 2019

  • Applying Machine Learning Models in sales forecasting
  • GPA: 4.78/5.0

BS Production Engineering

Universidad EAFIT

Medellín, Colombia

2016 - 2012

  • GPA: 4.64/5.0

Industry Experience

Young Professional (Career Development Program)

Ternium Siderúrgica de Caldas

Manizales, Colombia

2019 - 2017

  • Managed an innovative project to monitor on-site construction and maintenance activities using drones
  • Designed training courses tailored for new employees enhancing their onboarding experience
  • Led regular meetings focused on industrial safety and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of ongoing learning




Project and Consulting Experience

While my primary focus is in education and research, I have worked across disciplines, from developing computational thinking guides for K-12 to designing data-driven projects that foster critical inquiry. I have led monitoring and evaluation strategies for multiple educational projects, ensuring data quality and availability. My experience spans curriculum design, teacher training, educational technology, and data-informed decision-making.

Instructional developer

Charlottesville, VA, USA

University of Virginia

Present - 2024

  • Designed lesson plans fostering data science with global perspectives.
  • Created instructional videos to guide educators in integrating data literacy into their practice.
  • Developed assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of instructional materials and track educators’ progress.

Pedagogical coordinator and instructional developer

Barranquilla, Colombia

Universidad del Norte

2024

  • Coordinated a team of 5 experts to design 30 lesson plans and evaluations for the K-11 Colombian curriculum
  • Designed lesson plans introducing computational science, and data science, and artificial intelligence concepts through unplugged and technology-based activities

Research assistant

Barranquilla, Colombia

Universidad del Norte

2024 - 2022

  • Validating psychometric instruments for measuring Teacher well-being and socio-emotional learning of students from two different countries, and leading the report of quantitative results.

Leading Data Analyst

Barranquilla, Colombia

Universidad del Norte

2023 - 2020

  • Developed an innovative online visualization platform enabling seamless customization and download of charts, facilitating efficient data-driven analyses for the team.
  • Led a team of data analysts to collect, clean, and analyze program data, ensuring data accuracy and integrity for evidence-based decision-making.
  • Collaborated closely with other leaders and stakeholders, leveraging data insights to identify areas for improvement.
  • Pioneered the implementation of an automated evaluation process for a computational thinking maturity model.

Curriculum developer assistant

Barranquilla, Colombia

Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Ingeniería

2022

  • Cooperated with senior curriculum developers to enhance the K-12 mathematics curriculum by integrating computational thinking concepts.
  • Conducted extensive research to identify opportunities for including computational thinking in the curriculum and aligning it with learning objectives.
  • Suggested, revised, and improved a year-by-year learning progression, ensuring a seamless course-by-course progression, which is now published and accessible at Guidelines for the Integration of Computational Thinking in Mathematics.

Assistant consultant

Medellín, Colombia

Universidad EAFIT

2020

  • Worked closely with the client to ensure effective translation of their needs into the tool’s features and functionalities
  • Created an intuitive user interface using Python’s tkinter package for an electrical connections forecasting tool, enhancing user accessibility and usability.
  • Built a robust data processing pipeline, streamlining the input data for accurate forecasting and ensuring the tool’s reliability.
  • Trained the client’s in-house team on how to operate the application and interpret the forecasting results, facilitating seamless knowledge transfer and long-term usability.

Teaching Experience

I am passionate about making computational thinking and data science accessible to all learners. I believe that engaging, context-rich learning experiences can empower students to see themselves as creators and problem solvers. My approach centers on interactive pedagogy, inclusive practices, and real-world applications, with a strong emphasis on data literacy and its role in education.

Mathematics Tutoring

Universidad del Norte - I.E El Cañahuate

Barranquilla, Colombia

Dec 2023 - Jan 2023

  • Providing tailored mathematics tutoring sessions to high school students, with a strong emphasis on statistics, probability, and data visualization
  • Instilling an appreciation for Mathematics and its practical applications, with a focus on real-world examples and relevance
  • Utilizing various teaching resources to enhance comprehension of statistical concepts and data representation while recognizing the environmental limitations

Computational Thinking for Everyone

Universidad del Norte

Barranquilla, Colombia

Dec 2023 - Jul 2022

  • Teaching Computational Thinking, Data Science, and Machine Learning fundamentals for multidisciplinary students
  • Implementing a design-based research approach to refine the program using evidence from the initial offerings

Computational Thinking for High School Level Students - Remote Learning

Universidad EAFIT

Medellín, Colombia

Nov 2021 - Apr 2021

  • Engaged students in beginner-friendly activities fostering the development of computational thinking skills
  • Encouraged collaborative learning through online platforms, creating an interactive and inclusive virtual classroom

English as Second Language for Children and Adolescents

Universidad EAFIT

Medellín, Colombia

Dec 2016 - Jan 2014

  • Participated in ongoing pedagogical training programs, continuously enhancing teaching techniques
  • Designed and implemented engaging, age-appropriate curriculum



Awards, Fellowships, & Grants

Fulbright scholarship - Estudiante doctoral colombiano

Fulbright Colombia

Colombia

2025 - 2024

  • Awarded for academic excellence and leadership potential, as part of a highly competitive selection process supporting Colombian doctoral students in international research and study.

Full-Funded Research Project in Engineering

Universidad EAFIT

Colombia

2022 - 2019

  • Awarded to fully support my master’s degree in engineering, recognizing the quality and impact of my research proposal.

Bachilleres por Colombia Scholarship

Ecopetrol

Colombia

2016 - 2012

  • Full scholarship for the entire undergraduate program

Roberto Rocca Education Program Scholarship

Ternium, Techint Ingeniería y Construcción and TenarisTamsa

Colombia

2015

  • Awarded based on academic performance and a rigorous selection process

Jóvenes ingenieros del DAAD 2014-2015. Precandidate

Universidad EAFIT

Colombia

2014

  • Language scholarship based on academic merit

Honorary scholarship for academic performance

Universidad EAFIT

Colombia

2014

  • Awarded for achieving the highest average score in my engineering program.

Selected Publications, Posters, and Talks

Opening the Machine Learning Black Box for Multidisciplinary Students: Scaffolding from GUI to Coding

2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)

College Station, TX, USA

2023

Interpreting Direct Sales’ Demand Forecasts Using SHAP Values

Production

2023

Introduction Chapter

In Influencing Customer Demand: An Operations Management Approach

CRC Press

2021

Sales Forecasting Difficulties’ Analysis on Colombian Direct Sales Companies

In Proceedings of the International Congress of Industrial Engineering (ICIE2019)

Springer International Publishing

2021

Outreach

Integrating Data Science in the classroom: Research experiences

Cátedra Europa 2024U - niversidad del Norte

Barranquilla, Colombia

Oct 2024

Panelist

AI: Enemy or Ally?

Deeper Learning LATAM 2024

Medellín, Colombia

June 2024

Workshop Facilitator

Master class: Applied Computational Thinking in Education

Institucion Universitaria Americana

Barranquilla, Colombia

2023

Panelist

Data for Change: How Can Young People Contribute to the SDGs Using Data Science. “Innovation and Sustainability Forum: A Youthful Perspective on the SDGs”

Barranquilla Territorio STEM

Barranquilla, Colombia

2023

Panelist

Public Policy Dialogue CFK. Computational Thinking: The Future is Now

British Council Colombia

Bogotá, Colombia

2022

Panelist

Computational Thinking in School

Universidad EAFIT

Medellín, Colombia

2021

Workshop Facilitator

Student Research Groups Fair

Universidad EAFIT

Medellín, Colombia

2019

Volunteer Judge